The Merrick | Mountain Wild Camp in the Luxe Hexpeak V4A

[@outlawedlandscapes]

What's your favourite camping meal? 🤔 So far I've tried the veggie options from Summit to Eat, but I'm not impressed - especially at a price of £7.00. Any other suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated! 😁

[@Kev_Russ]

You ken what ma answer will be. 😉

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@Kev_Russ Mon the mackerel wraps!!!!

[@Kev_Russ]

@@outlawedlandscapes I wis gonnae say ma usual concoction of pasta and anchovies. 😋😉

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@Kev_Russ Aw aye, they things… 😅 Bet they’ve got more nutrients than a pot noodle though 🫣

[@AllyRdr1]

Soba noodles (the packets, not the pots) with a Mathesons-equivalent (the Aldi ones are decent) smoked sausage chopped up and mixed in

[@ChrisJB]

Cheers Scott, always good to see the mighty Merrick and Little Spear of course. I recall looking down beyond the Fang of the Merrick to the silvery ribbon of the Kirshinnock Burn and being blown away by the spectacle. Thanks for showing me what it's like close up. ATB, Chris

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Thanks for watching Chris and I'm glad it brought back memories for you! There's something about that western view, I've seen it twice with beautiful golden sidelighting and on both occasions it's stopped me in my tracks. I'll return (again) to capture the Black Gairy, I've yet to get photographs there that I'm happy with. Our original plan was to camp above the Black Gutter, but time/wind position put paid to that unfortunately. Bryan reckons it's his 'bogey hill' and I'm beginning to think that it's quite a tough b*gger in general!! 😀 Thanks again mate

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Great to see our outing and a good trip overall. More of the Galloway range in the area to build towards the Ring of Fiiirrreeee!!! Excellent stuff as always mate and tell Coops I'll get that ball to him👍🏼

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Uh oh… What have I started!? 🤣 Glad you enjoyed it sir & hopefully we can get you over that 1k!! 💪🏻 I’ve told him, he’s waiting 😛

[@Kev_Russ]

Great watch mate. Good tae see you oot with Bry. Sunday looked brutal weather, but stunning oan Sat. 😎 Nice wee nod to Hermit there.

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Cheers Kev boy, I threw a few in there 😁 “Booties, luvly!” 😅😅 The weather was fantastic on the Sat, especially during golden hour, Ooft! Was kicking myself we weren’t up top 🥹

[@treklinda1309]

Gosh what a weather...

[@outlawedlandscapes]

🫣😅 Typical Scottish weather! 💙

[@mountainmantararua8824]

Enjoyed the Video. When we pass a cairn over here in NZ it's traditional to always put a stone on top of the cairn and that replaces stones that have fallen off or blown off, thus, keeping the cairn 'alive' Your four-legged friend looked like he was enjoying himself. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ 😀😀

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Thanks for watching 🙂 Aye, I used to carry up a stone, but these days I prefer to leave the hill untouched as far as possible. I'm not 'anti-cairn' though - Coops loves to climb all over them! 😅

[@treklinda1309]

Nice film, enjoyed it very much. Watched it all the way to the end. I know the disappointment of waking up to cloudy weather. Nice night shot :)

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Hi Linda, thanks for watching & I'm glad you enjoyed it! Aye, it's a proper scunner when you open your eyes and see that dull light 😬 I wanted to do a lot more astro stuff, but it takes quite a bit of time to do and after the camera battery/sd card fiasco I lost the notion. Next time though!

[@kenhenley7599]

Excellent video...really enjoyed watching it from beginni9ng to end. Lovely weather first day but a wee bit "rough" the second! However, the V4A stood it's ground like a trooper. Loved the bit where Koops is (falling?) asleep and you're giving him a tickle (or was it a scratch?) and when he's rolling on his back in the wet grass. Also loved the "homage" to Head for the Hills Scotland. Miss his videos a lot. He had a great sense of humour. As for my favourite camping meal, I really like Summit to Eat beef stew with potato, chicken fried rice, chicken fajita and vegetable chipotle chilli with rice. OMG...I feel hungry now! Cheers. Ken

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Haha! I’ll have to experiment a bit more with them, but £7 for 400kCal isn’t the best. Might look into dehydrating meals. I’ve been bingeing Hermits videos and I absolutely love them, such a massive shame he didn’t get to see what a legacy he was leaving behind, so if I can nod towards him, even if it gives people like yourself a wee boost, then it helps keep his memory alive… luvly! 😅😅😅 We definitely pushed our luck with the weather, it’s pretty much rained non stop since, and the forecasts for the tops right now are just scary! I’ve discovered that the Hexpeak “breathes” when it’s windy, I’ll try and capture that on the next adventure 😁 Ps, I was just giving Coops a wee scratch before bed, calms him right down until he remembers his stone is just outside the tent.. 🫢

[@kenhenley7599]

@@outlawedlandscapes "Breathes"? Interesting. Can't wait.

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@kenhenley7599 Aye, the way it flexes looks like it's breathing, uncanny haha!

[@GusExplores]

Quality fun, at least you had the weather on the first night.

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Hi Gus! Aye, it was brilliant with those lovely conditions, always disappointing when the clag descends but at least we had some fun navigation through the clouds 💪🏻😁

[@hikebikescotland9121]

Nice to see a couple of our favourite 'tubers out together... smashing video as always... The awful hand delivers awful weather as usual!!! didn't detract from our enjoyment though! - keep up the good work 😀

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Haha! The bad weather adds another dimension to the Spear, but apart from that, I would have preferred some clearer skies 🫢 Thanks for watching and I’ll be back out sooner rather than later 👌🏻

[@PAADVENTURES1]

Great wee video! Pity about the clag but we cant win them all! I'm done with the rehydrated meals! Not sure if it's in my head but I always seem to be a bit clogged up after them. Next tent set up and one for consideration for me as I would like a new tent. Cheers Paul

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Thanks for watching mate, aye, it's always frustrating when you wake up and feel that sort of omnipresent glow without the distinct sense of light 😄The Hexpeaks are amazing, I've had mine for a while so far and it's proven time and again how capable it is!

[@campingcaledonia76]

Superb stuff man! Great to see yerself and Brian out together in one of my fave areas. I watch plenty of both channels!! Loved the nod to Mr Hermit Hill too 👏🏻

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Thanks for watching mate, glad you enjoyed it! There were a few wee nods in there, I only recently discovered his channel and I've been bingeing it since!! It's a shame Andy won't get to see his legacy, but what a legacy he left behind for us all to enjoy 😀

[@campingcaledonia76]

@@outlawedlandscapes Totally bud. I binged his stuff too durin lockdown not realising he had gone until I was near the end of his vids and it got to me for sure. He put in some miles!! Still his legacy will live on. The OG as far as I’m concerned 😄 I noticed the backpack struggle and your ‘lovely’ sup of yer cuppa! 👌🏻 😆 Anyhoo keep the vids comin dude. Cheers.

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@campingcaledonia76 Aye, when you hear the change in his voice and see him trying to hide away it's a bit heartbreaking, but he kept up the enthusiasm and the humour, so a massive hats off to him. I'll maybe do a dedicated video in his memory in the future, we'll see. Needed to get Bryan the shoutout with this one 🙂 We had 'Booties, Luvly' as well 😃Need to find myself a Globetrotter, what a riot!!

[@campingcaledonia76]

@@outlawedlandscapes That’s a great idea! Hope you do! Would be cool if we all chucked in a wee nod to Mr H Hill in our vids now and again - I know I’m gonna do the odd one now 😆

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@campingcaledonia76 Aye, definitely! Defo going to feature wee bits and bobs (would love a thumbnail with my hanging out the tent in a balaclava) 😅😅

[@Fungobackpacking]

That's what I need, thx man

[@outlawedlandscapes]

No worries, if it helps Bryan was taken aback by how solid it was and how spacious it was inside 👌🏻

[@natalieminnis]

I always find tussocky ground a slog! Not sure if that was last weekend - the weather was much worse than forecast. I organised a Meetup walk near Lochgoilhead - we were soaked to the skin. Coops seemed to be enjoying it though.

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Hi Natalie, thanks for watching! Aye, last weekend, thought we were getting lucky before the bad weather hit and the cloud was down well before forecast 🙄Forecast must have changed a few times in the couple of days preceding as well, but still, a great wee trip 😁 Coops had a whale of a time as always 🐺😍

[@gigi3242]

Awesome video, as always. Love to Coops the crazy dog, lol Beautiful country, even with the clouds. Be well.

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Thanks Gigi, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂He’s daft as a brush, but I wouldn’t have it any other way 😁🐺

[@martinarctander]

Good everything whent well. Thank you for sharing. Like your dog💪

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Thanks for watching Martin, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂 I’ll be back out soon - next target is Arran or Arrochar 👌🏻

[@torrentson]

What an awesome tent for that price. I haven't decided yet, or the Hexpeak or a DCF tent because the weight. My Carinthia sleeping bag is so heavy I need to save some weight before I feel like a donkey.

[@outlawedlandscapes]

They are fantastic mate, the DCF duomid looks cracking, but way beyond my budget and the Hexpeak while not the lightest is still pretty lightweight and strong as an ox! Sounds to me as though you need to find an alternative sleeping bag 😄

[@stevenanderson5404]

Nice one 👍 got to love the Galloways. I was actually up Mullwharchar on Saturday night so surprised I never saw any lights on the Merrick so you must have dropped down the other side a bit ? Was also interesting heading of Mullwharchar on Sunday morning heading to Hoodens with the clag. But was definitely worth it as I got the astro/milky way shots I was looking for on Saturday night ⭐

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Hi Stevie! Aye, I always find myself returning, no matter how scunnered I come out, haha! Kev sent me a link to your Insta saying you were up on Mullwharcher - surprised you didn't see the tent glowing away, we were on the South Western part of the summit! xD How was the temperature down there? Was baltic up on the Merrick 😬 Cheers for watching!

[@stevenanderson5404]

@@outlawedlandscapes I was on the southern side over looking Loch Enoch And Craignaw. Your tents must have been just out of range on the other side. Either that or iam blind 😄 It's a small world turns out a guy from work was up there also about 17:30 on his bike. Was pretty cold when the sun set but I had the tent behind a big boulder that sheltered me from the worst of the wind . The wind seemed to die down for a bit at the right time when I was out for a hour between 9-10pm taking the photo's 👍

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@stevenanderson5404 Hah! Aye, we topped out at about 7. It went very peaceful where we were as well, wasn't until we headed North that the weather got rougher - would have been a lovely exit via Hoodens Hill 😆

[@stevenanderson5404]

Yip sure was. The wind was trying it's best to blow me of the side of the Wolf Slock 😄

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@stevenanderson5404 Oh god, with they slippy tussocks as well.. I’ll bet that forestry road felt like a million quid!!

[@davids9549]

Well done - no day on the hills is wasted, whatever the weather. You are now officially one of the Hexpeak People! And showing the wise discernment of us folk, you have seen through the expensive broken promises that are marketed as 'Hiking Meals' and you are assembling superior lightweight meals from standard supermarket ingredients at a fraction of the cost. Still need to get you working a bit harder on your pack weight though...

[@outlawedlandscapes]

“The Hexpeak People” Sounds great 😁 My actual pack weight is 10kg + 7.5kg photography/video gear and then 2.5l water halfway up. I can get about 500g off of my sleeping pad and again with my sleeping bag then some other bits and bobs, but that all comes at a cost. 💯 on the expedition meals, I got 2 different ones basically for free (wasting money on a gift card after returning something) after everyone hypes them up and tbh they were crap. Maybe the 1k calorie ones would be good, but at what cost!? 🫣😅

[@davids9549]

@@outlawedlandscapes Aye, they are crap. I last had one a dozen years ago and it tasted so disgusting I threw it down the mountain and went hungry. I dare say they've improved a bit since then, but I've learned to sort my own food out. It averages out at 750g per day at less than a fiver. You should be able to get that 10kg down to 7kg without too much bother or expense - thereafter it gets harder. Of course the water weight is unavoidable if you're going where there are no natural sources. 7.5kg photographic gear though - sheesh!

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@davids9549 7kg sounds nice to me... haha! Every trip I wonder what it must be like to hike with a wee 30l pack! I'm officially on the lookout for a 4 season 1.5p lanshan inner for the hex, can pull back approx 300g with that (and be winter ready as well!), looking into alternative 'nail' stakes that are 12g instead of 36, so that would be a further reduction of approx 144g to the tent. Otherwise I'm looking into a sleeping bag that is around 1kg or less (within budget and goes to -6), a lighter more packable mat (looking at the ~320g Thermarest Neoair x-therm). Can shave a couple hundred grams off my synthetic down jacket too. With the photography gear, there's not much I can shave off of that as I've already been pretty brutal. Weight includes my tripod, which is as lightweight as possible without being a POS that will fail on me. The rucksack itself is pretty heavy, at 2.3kg but apart from a few wee niggles it does the job very well and carries my equipment safely and comfortably. I originally wanted the Osprey Atmos AG 65l, but that was even heavier and £100 more expensive! :o In terms of food, I've dialled in what I actually need to carry now, so no more cans of beer or sweet treats like Coke. I need a main meal with plenty of slow burn calories for the long nights, porridge bars/flapjacks or nuts, a nice chamomile tea and a strong as f*ck coffee for the morning (the coffee bags are good, but I'm getting sick of carrying the bags away with me).

[@davids9549]

@@outlawedlandscapes I use the coffee bags (you can scatter the grounds and just carry the paper and foil out) and make a porridge in the pan with the rest of the hot water. I can give you my precise porridge recipe if you're interested. Either noodles, couscous or Idaho mash for dinner with separate protein added (a bit like you), but Lapsang Souchong instead of your Camomile (dunno why, I'd never touch it indoors). Through the day (again like you) plenty of trail food. Your first easy win is your pack - I'd advise one in the 45L-50L range (30L won't be anywhere near enough for what you carry), with frame and proper hipbelt, at half the weight of your existing pack. There are many possibles - I've used a Nigor Zero-G for the last 7 years which has all the features you'd want at 1.1kg and 53L capacity. And even that's considered on the heavy side by some lightweighters. You're right not to skimp on bedding - Thermarest NeoAir is good, but the X-Therm is 450g in the Regular size - the XLite is 350g - I have both and while the X-Therm is certainly warmer, I find the XLite is all I really need for 3-season use. Your sleeping bag issue has more than one solution, and you could combine it with your down jacket question - I have gone to a 3-season 'system' based on the above mattress, a down/synthetic hoody, and a quilt (mine is a Cumulus 350, 600g and rated to -4C, but maybe the 450 rated to -7C and still only 710g might suit you better), wearing the hoody as sleepwear to boost warmth when required. Why am I posting this lengthy drivel? Well apart from you seeming like a thoroughly good chap, I can see you are where I was (packweight-wise) 7 years ago, and I thought it might be helpful to share what worked for me.

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@davids9549 It's all good, I always appreciate advice from passionate people! I hadn't considered scattering the grounds out, but I'm not sure that the PH would be ok for the elevated shrubbery etc. I don't normally bother with breakfast, but I've considered making my own porridge 'energy bars' with things like flaxseed/cashews etc mixed through. Re the rucksack, I hear you. I definitely need 65l though as the camera kit takes up quite a bit of space at the top of the bag, though I reckon I was maybe at about 60l capacity. Maybe once I have more lightweight/packable kit I can get that down, though the Flex Capacitor pack does look quite interesting. Gregory also have some solid but lighterweight offerings. The quilt system is something that interests me (I hate sleeping bags). I know Hounds of Howgate had a down hood to go with his & I already use the down jacket with my winter bag (2.1kg) when the temps REALLY drop. I'll have a look at whats out there, especially the cumulus, though they can get VERY expensive :o

[@XenoHunter616]

I was camping on Sunday up Loch doon the weather was insane 🤣

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Haha! Excellent mate, hope you weren’t too exposed? Coming off of Kirriereoch was a joke until we got to about 400m and things calmed down a bit. Got locked in the forest as well 🤣🫣

[@XenoHunter616]

@@outlawedlandscapes found a good wee nook that sheltered me from most of the extremities, and it kept the wind above me, was surprisingly dry, very glad! Nothing worse than being soaked thru! Great vid as always bud ✌️

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@XenoHunter616 Thanks mate! Guid, I need to get a camp sorted for Loch Doon, every time I’ve tried it’s been hoaching though!

[@XenoHunter616]

@@outlawedlandscapes agreed 🤣 its like the spirits of the Loch are trying to put us off, makes it all the more endearing!

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@XenoHunter616 Haha 😅 The only spirits around there are the empties lying around the verges 🫢 One day I’ll get that South end pitch… one day 😁

[@RockStar67]

Great video well done fellas...walked the Merrick from the Loch Valley and never new about this route but i do now.... Looks a nice la'al wander love the area and the Hills and not to far from my homeland Cumbria.

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Hi mate, thanks for watching! Aye, it’s a proper good route though the approach is quite long through the forestry. Heading up the Merrick via the Western ridge is also fantastic as you get the views of the Corries as you gain height 🙂

[@RockStar67]

@@outlawedlandscapes aye thanks mate we'll definitely be back that way for a weekender in't Car hopefully before Christmas I'll git the map out and tek a look thanks for the info 😊

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@RockStar67 No worries mate, you can park at Kirriereoch Farm (the access road is currently being blootered by land and forestry Scotland 🙄) and walk up from there. A good way to warm up before a strenuous hike 😅

[@CaltheScot]

I enjoy your videos and hope you get past the things that are preventing you from filming more. I’m a hex peak fan and have watched your modifications many times. I still need to get it sorted properly. Best wishes.

[@NorwayHikesTrails]

Great hike. Nice video 👍

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@dlite1972]

Really like the night sky photography. What equipment do you use ?

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Hi mate, that was just a night lapse done on the GoPro (hero 9). Something I’ll be working on in the future as it didn’t turn out as well as it could have 🙂

[@dlite1972]

@@outlawedlandscapes Thanks for the reply. I’d like to see some night photography in future videos 👍🏻

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@dlite1972 No worries! Weather conditions allowing I’ll make it happen 🙂

[@Laubasss]

Great video again! I'm still a bit undecided as to which tent to go for. Been googling and youtubing my arse off for reviews. Lot of tents are on my list, but Hexpeak seems more and more the nr1. (v4a or f6a....extra room is appealing, but extra weight isn't). Just bit worried about the mods which seem necessary e.g werking out the extra guylines and ajusting stuff. Ah well, enough info online! Naturehike cloud up 2 seems nice to, but the bomb proof nature of hexpeak is appealing. Enough rambling in the comments....wee bit off topic lol, sorry! Best to Coops!

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Thanks Laura, I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😀 It's always a fun, but frustrating experience eh!? I can't say anything for Naturhike, but you'll most likely have seen me gushing about the Hexpeak everywhere, haha! You really can't go wrong. You're right about the f6a - it IS bigger, but it's heavier too. Still, you could get the fly only and get a really light 3 or 4 season inner from aliexpress - that would do the trick! Good luck..! 😋

[@Laubasss]

@@outlawedlandscapes Tnx! I'm looking forward to solo hiking and hiking with my youngest son. Someday gonna explore the great Scottish nature ( having only been to Glasgow and Loch Ness rofl)

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@Laubasss Excellent 😁 The Cairngorms would be an excellent step up 👌🏻

[@alfiethedog931]

Hi great video. Which 4 season inner do you recommend, or do you think the supplied inner would be warm enough for Scottish winter

[@richardwaudby7338]

Hey mate sorry probably not related to the correct video but what size shock cord did you use when you swapped out the guys on the v4a inner please?

[@outlawedlandscapes]

Hi Richard, if I remember correctly it was 3mm cut to 1ft. I also kept some of the original cord for the 90 angle, which was cut to form an equilateral triangle with a pvc O ring for joining the shock cord. (can't remember the size of that though!) Hope this helps!

[@richardwaudby7338]

@@outlawedlandscapes cheers mate I have some 3mm laying around I think. I thought maybe thinner.

[@outlawedlandscapes]

@@richardwaudby7338 Excellent! Let me know how you get on! I'll be doing a video on the inners in the near future, 4 season inner is finally en-route!

[@_LC__]

Hi mate,do you have an email that i can contact you on? Great video once again👍

[@outlawedlandscapes]

[e-mail] 👌🏻